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Gov. Herbert Signs Order to Protect Sage-grouse,

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In an effort to keep greater sage-grouse off the federal endangered species list,
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert signed an executive order Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015, directing
state agencies to protect and preserve the bird and its habitat.

“We care about the greater sage-grouse, we care about its habitat,” said Herbert,
who also noted listing would have a “significantly devastating impact” on Utah’s economy
by placing restrictions on agriculture and energy development.

Utah State University Extension wildlife specialist Terry Messmer, who has led statewide
sage-grouse conservation efforts for more than 20 years, was among dignitaries invited
to participate in the signing ceremony at the state capitol in Salt Lake City.

The executive order cites efforts by USU Extension, including facilitation of an on-going
community-based conservation program engaging thousands of stakeholders in local working
groups to develop and implement conservation efforts. The program is widely praised
as a model for other states.

The governor’s order also highlights USU research efforts to further knowledge of
the bird’s ecology and to provide science-based best practices to protect and increase
sage-grouse habitat and populations.

“The executive order fully implements the Utah Sage-grouse Conservation Plan, which
was built on nearly two decades of research and local working group involvement,”
says Messmer, Quinney Professor for Wildlife Conflict Management in USU’s Department
of Wildland Resources. “It establishes a framework for increases coordination and
communication among state agencies to benefit the species and sustain local communities.”

Messmer is quick to recognize Utah citizens who jump-started the conservation efforts.

“Our research started in 1996 with a $3,000 check given to me by rancher Andy Taft
of Piute County’s Parker Mountain Grazing Association,” he says. “We have more than
40 public and private funding partners now, but that initial level of commitment and
passion has sustained and defined our efforts throughout these years. Gov. Herbert’s
order validates these local community efforts.”

Ken White, vice president for USU Extension, congratulated Messmer and his team.

“Terry and his colleagues are making a tremendous impact in Utah and across the region,”
White says. “Their work is a great example of how Extension’s ability to get up-to-date,
research-based information to people can help resolve issues that affect people and
their communities.”

The governor’s order arrives just as male sage-grouse are beginning their distinctive
mating ritual known as “strutting on the leks” – a dance-like display to attract females
– during this year’s unusually warm Valentine’s season.

“We’ve received multiple reports of people witnessing male sage-grouse strutting in
recent weeks,” says David Dahlgren, USU Extension wildlife associate. “Boys will be
boys, but that doesn’t mean the girls are ready to breed.”

Dahlgreen says hens are not as easily fooled by warm weather as males. For many avian
species, he says, the onset of reproduction in females is strongly related to the
amount of sunlight in a given day as well as ambient climatic conditions.

“Nest initiation could occur earlier this year, but not quite this early,” he says.

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